Section III: Getting There—Aviation
Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) Rules
Procedures for registering and approving incoming private aircrafts have simplified over the past few years. Private aircraft are allowed to fly to other destinations after entering China as long as these destinations are listed in the application to CAAC. China has limited the number of routes. Flights from the west and north must come in through or over Urumqi, Xinjiang, or Ulan Baatar, Mongolia. Flights from the south or east are routed through or over Guangzhou or Shanghai. Flights from Taiwan must first touch down in Hong Kong or another country.
According to the US Federal Aviation Administration international flight information manual, the following airports serve as ports of entry into China: Beijing; Guangzhou; Hangzhou, Zhejiang; Kunming, Yunnan; Lanzhou, Gansu (prior notice required); Shanghai; Taiyuan, Shanxi; Tianjin, and Urumqi. Practically speaking, however, if an inland airport is the destination, CAAC will still require the flight to come in through one of the main points of entry (Beijing, Guangzhou, Urumqi, or Shanghai) for customs and immigration procedures. Occasionally, another airport is approved if there is a compelling reason from a Chinese interest.
Aircraft Entry Requirements
Permission
All private and nonscheduled commercial flights flying over or landing for commercial or noncommercial purposes must obtain prior permission through one of the following channels:
- Airline companies on the Civil Aeronautics Board's list of approved charter operators to China may apply directly to CAAC in accordance with Annex 11 of the US-PRC Civil Air Transport Agreement. Applications should be made at least 15 days in advance. Applications can be sent via facsimile 86-10-6513-5983, or telex 86-10-6513-5983 and must include the following information:
- Purpose of flight
- Nationality of registration, owner, and operator of aircraft
- Type of aircraft
- Identification marks and call-signs of aircraft or flight number
- Name of captain and number of crew members
- Proposed flight plan (including route, date, hours, and destination)
- Identity of charterer(s)
- Number of passengers and/or weight of cargo on board
- Price charged by airline to each charterer
Flights may be required to be accompanied by a Chinese escort crew (including a navigator and a radio operator), although this requirement is seldom imposed.
- All other private and nonscheduled flights should apply to the CAAC Control Center via facsimile 86-10-6513-5983, or telex 86-10-6513-5983 and must include the following information:
- Approved weather minimum of pilot
- Date and estimated time of departure from last airport prior to entering Chinese airspace
- Estimated time of arrival in Chinese airspace
- Details of path of flight through China
- Estimated time of departure from China
- Fueling requirements in China
- Purpose of flight
- Letter from Chinese sponsor (a simple letter stating the purpose of the trip, which should include the company's address and stamp).
- Type of aircraft
- Registration number
- Radio call-signs
- Name, passport number, and background information of pilot
- Name and passport number of passengers
- Letter from Chinese counterpart/sponsor
After receiving a faxed application, CAAC will respond within roughly 15 days regarding the status of acceptance or rejection. In most cases, if application materials are complete, the purpose of the visit is clearly conveyed, and safety procedures are met, applications are usually accepted.
Please remember that no more than the original number of people who arrive on a flight can depart on that flight (fewer may leave than arrive, but not more). Only business-related flights are permitted--no tourism. Please be aware that any changes to the original request can delay flight clearance. Changes are unavoidable, keeping them to an absolute minimum will help smooth flight clearance.
Companies are advised to send a copy of their CAAC application materials to the US Embassy in Beijing for communication and record keeping purposes. The Embassy encourages companies to apply directly to CAAC, but will accept applications for record keeping and verification purposes. Companies can send applications to the US Embassy at the below address:
To: Craig Riley
Office of Economic Affairs
Embassy of the United States of America
Beijing, PR China
Fax: 86-10-6532-6422
Tel: 86-10-6532-3831, ext. 6247
Council Tips
If you need the flight arranged within two weeks, politely stress the two-week timeframe in the letter. (CAAC indicated that the processing should take no longer than two weeks.)
As soon as you have finished the flight application form, contact your Chinese sponsor and ask them to notify CAAC with your trip information. As soon as you receive CAAC's approval, the flight crew may obtain crew visas (which are different from standard visas) from any Chinese consulate in the United States or the PRC Embassy. The handling agents will make arrangements from this point.
A number of charter airflight clearinghouses are available if you need an agent to handle the flight arrangements/coordination with CAAC. Two commonly used clearinghouses are Universal and Air Routing.
List of US Flight Clearinghouses
Alliance Executive Charter Services
8111 Lemmon Avenue
Dallas, TX 75209
Tel: 800-232-5387
Fax: 214-956-1452
E-mail: alliance@jetsolutions.com
Air Routing International Corp.
2925 Briarpark Drive, 7th Floor
Houston, TX 77042
Tel: 713-430-7200
Fax: 713-430-7013
E-mail: Gordon.berturelli@argis.com
Web:www.airrouting.com
Air Charter Services International
1601 Bayshore Highway, Suite 323
Burlingame, CA 94010
Tel: 650-579-6052
Fax: 650-692-6164
E-mail: aircharters@acsinfo.com
Baseops International Inc.
333 Cypress Run, Suite 200
Houston, TX 77094
Tel: 281-556-2500
Fax: 281-556-2400
E-mail: sales@baseops.com
www.baseops.com
Cessna Aircraft Co.
One Cessna Blvd. Wichita, KS 67277
Tel: 316-517-6000
Fax: 316-517-6640
www.cessna.com
Emory Worldwide Airlines
1 Emery Plaza Dayton International Airport
Vandalia, OH 45377
Tel: 937-264- 6524
Fax: 937-264-6539
E-mail: heintz.mary@emeryworld.com
Jeppesen
(11 world wide offices)
Main Office: 703-519-5295
Fax Main: 703-519-5296
www.jeppesen.com/wlcs/index.jsp
Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc.
8787 Tallyho
Houston, TX 77061
N. America Toll Free: 800-231-5600
Local/Int'l: 713-944-1622
Fax: (713) 943-4634
E-mail: sales@univ-wea.com
www.universalweather.com
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Last Updated: 11-Nov-04